Arti Patel2015-03-03T17:38:18-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.ca/author/index.php?author=arti-patelCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Arti PatelGood old fashioned elbow grease.New La Boulange Menu Launches At Starbucks Canadatag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-03-03T11:55:16-05:002015-03-03T12:59:01-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/
The La Boulange menu, which is the coffee chain's biggest investment in food to date, will feature everything from an all-butter croissant to a gluten-free marshmallow bar to buttermilk blueberry and cranberry orange scones. It launched in U.S. stores in 2012.

Starbucks Canada reps say the menu items, which they readily identify as "indulgences" at around 350 calories per item, have a new take on some of Starbucks' original food offerings, like the loaf cakes and cookies. And since they want to focus on real ingredients, most of the new La Boulange pastries from French chef Pascal Rigo will feature only 100 per cent real butter.

Most of Ontario and British Columbia will get the first round of new pastries, while Ottawa, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will get their revamp at the end of March. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will see a new menu in June.

Prices begin at $2 for the nine new artisanal menu items. If you try them, let us know what you think!

"People who are good with their money actually find excitement in paying off their debt," he says. "They get excited about the future, a sense of security, spoiling their kids, having a sense of family or just freedom."

While eating out less or taking public transit are easy ways to save, Lester says sometimes the costs that get to us are the ones we're not paying attention to. For example, pre-paid memberships, like magazine subscriptions, or even online streaming sites continuously take out money from your account, even if you're not using their services fully.

Here are Lester's 15 tips for cutting down costs around entertainment, food and well-being. For the most part, we can see ourselves abiding by these challenges, but let us know if you have any tricks you're willing to share in the comments below.

]]>Cute Animals Doing Cute Things On Videotag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-03-02T15:00:40-05:002015-03-02T15:00:41-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/
In the video by the hilarious combination of Buzzfeed and America's Funniest Home Videos, we see 18 cute animals doing things that almost seem unreal. From unlikely friendships to others slipping (and getting back up), let's start the week with 1:26 minutes of all things cute.

But for real, how on earth did that cat hide in that goose's butt? Watch the video above to find out. ]]>Making Ice Cream Out Of Snow Because You've Had It With Wintertag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-03-02T14:22:36-05:002015-03-02T14:59:01-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/
That's right, we've decided to eat the (clean) remainder of winter, with this super simple recipe in the video above. A reporter from Fox 4 Kansas City shows us how to take regular snow and turn it into sweet, sweet ice cream.

According to the broadcasting network, turning snow into ice cream can be done in your home — after you have gathered the perfect amount of clean snow — or right outdoors in snow's natural habitat.

Watch the video above and if you're up for this challenge, send us a recipe of your "ice cream." And seriously, if you live in any major city, do not, we repeat do not use any snow from the ground.]]>Leonard Nimoy's Death Reminds Us Of His Kind Heart -- And His Feminismtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-02-27T16:06:01-05:002015-02-27T16:59:01-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/passed away at the age of 83 on Friday.

When TrekMovie.com asked Nimoy to confirm the story, he agreed, saying this wasn't the only instance where he saw inequality at work. "There was also the case where George and Nichelle were not hired to do their voices in the animated series. I refused to do Spock until they were hired. [Star Trek creator] Mr. Roddenberry started calling me the conscience of 'Star Trek,'" the actor told the site.

Meanwhile, he didn't shy away from offering advice to young people either. Buzzfeed sourced a magazine clipping from 1968, where Nimoy responded to a young mixed-race teen who was having trouble finding friends. As he wrote, "Not everyone will like me. But there will be those who will accept me just for what I am. I will develop myself to such a point of excellence, intelligence and brilliance that I can see through any problem and deal with any crisis."

And of course, though he will be predominantly remembered for acting, the Guardian opines that his directing days in the '80s were his way of entering the feminist dialogue. As writer Hadley Freeman notes, even though his directorial work with "Three Men and a Baby" received backlash from feminists at the time, in retrospect, this film could have been showing Nimoy's thoughts on bringing men into the bigger picture of parenting.

ALSO ON HUFFPOST:]]>This Puppies vs. Babies Video Is Aggressively Cutetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-02-27T13:30:13-05:002015-02-27T17:59:01-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/
In the very serious showdown above, cute puppies and equally cute babies challenge one another in areas of dancing, eating and jumping (spoiler alert: the baby clearly didn't practice for this round).

So who has the title for overall cuteness? Watch the video above to find out. ]]>8 Health Benefits Of Tart Cherries, According To Sciencetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-02-27T11:40:32-05:002015-02-27T11:59:01-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/plenty of athletes talked about turning to tart cherry juice to enhance their performances, but it turns out, you don't need to be a pro to get the health benefits of this sour fruit.

"Tart cherries are particularly rich in anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds linked to reduced inflammation," says author and registered dietitian Dr. Wendy Bazilian of Bazilian’s Health in San Diego. "This is good news for athletes and for the increasing number of active adults who are looking to manage the aches and pains of physical activity as they age." Bazilian also acts as a scientific adviser for the Cherry Marketing Institute.

Tart cherries come in several different forms — juice, dried or frozen — and generally can be purchased at most local grocery stores or health food stores. Frozen tart cherries can cost about $1.25 per pound, while juice concentrate can cost up to $28 per quart (or 946 ml).

Bazilian adds these cherries are filled with nutrients like potassium and fibre, and are known for their bright red hue (sweet cherries are usually darker).

"Because they’re available year-round, tart cherries are also a versatile real food and ingredient that adds a unique sweet-tart flavour to any new food item," she says. Bazilian recommends adding dried tart cherries to your yogurt or making a tart cherry salsa for your chicken.

And although more research into tart cherries has to be done, below are eight studies that prove we're heading in a healthy direction.]]>Beyonce Workout Video Is The Instagram Post We've Been Waiting Fortag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-02-26T13:52:34-05:002015-02-26T15:59:01-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/
On Wednesday, Beyonce posted a short sped-up video on her workout on Instagram to celebrate the five-year anniversary of Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign — an initiative to tackle obesity and get kids to get active in the U.S..

Now while most Queen Bee fans have probably tried recreating every single one of her numerous dance moves, a workout like this is something we can actually see ourselves mastering. The 15-second clip includes everything from crunches with a medicine ball to power punches with weights and even lunges.

And to really get into the mood of all things Bey, we suggest pairing this workout (slowed down of course) with this appropriately titled song... or making it work with "Drunk In Love."

]]>Period Horror Stories We Can All Relate Totag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-02-26T13:39:55-05:002015-02-26T13:59:01-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/
Whether it's a leak or just getting your period at an unexpected time, we're giving huge props to the women in the video above for sharing their stories in the name of comedy — and womanhood.

The 2:59 minute Buzzfeed video asks women to share their most embarrassing and/or horrific stories, including snippets of "my first time" stories and discovering how (and not how) to use a tampon.

On Monday, Ontario released a new 2015 Health and Physical Education Curriculum — the first update to the curriculum in 17 years — that will be implemented in schools across the province in September.

The new curriculum will cover topics like sexting, cyber-bullying, consent, and for the first time, six gender identities instead of just two. Students will also to continue to learn about aspects of the reproductive system and sexual health issues throughout the years of elementary and secondary school.

To make things a lot more clear — and to move away from the many myths surrounding these changes — we've broken down exactly what kids will learn in each grade. Besides developing areas in sexual health, students will also learn about safety, respectful behaviours and healthy living overall.

]]>What Depression Can Feel Liketag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-02-25T15:26:18-05:002015-02-25T15:59:01-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/
In the video above by Buzzfeed, the site goes through one woman's day living with depression (yes, depression is depicted as a person) and talks about the voices and phrases people may constantly be listening to in their heads.

From being judged on how they look to just not getting out of bed, depression can make you feel alone, isolated and routinely question your actions.

Below are seven recipes you can eat this week for dinner, starring some popular products from Yves, along with staples like potatoes, onions and lentils. If you're not able to get your hands on some of these packaged goods, we suggest replacing the "meat' with tofu, tempeh or more hearty vegetables.

]]>The Swedes Have Created A Kids' Video On Making Babies And We Love Ittag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2015-02-24T16:03:49-05:002015-02-24T16:59:01-05:00Arti Patelhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/arti-patel/launching a brand new sex ed and health curriculum in Ontario, talking about sex with kids in general has been on the minds of many Canadians. But it seems like we've just been one-upped by the Swedes.

The 1:43 video in Swedish features an animated heterosexual couple and a voice over comparing the meeting of a sperm and egg similar to a race. It even includes a timeline of how babies grow in a mother's womb.

“All you need is for an egg and a sperm to meet,” a voice says in the video above. “And they can meet with the help of a test tube or a jab. Or an adult willy and an adult twinkle can get together and make babies inside the body.”

By The Numbers: 177 pounds at my heaviest, currently 112 pounds, for a total weight loss of 65 pounds.

The Weight Gain: As a kid, I think I could have been categorized as the “chubby” one. I was your average kid who played multiple school sports, and played additional soccer and tennis outside of school.

Slowly from high school on, I started to put on weight. I enrolled in a practical nursing program, and two years of bad studying habits, long nights, stressful days and the odd party or two later, I was 20 pounds heavier. I was probably about 150 pounds when I graduated from college in 2009. I took a permanent job with the local health authority as a licensed practical nurse.

Final Straw: In the summer of 2011, when I least expected it, something bad happened – something that would change my life forever. I was put off work by my doctor indefinitely and told I was experiencing symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

I was finding myself so easily overwhelmed. I would cry a lot more and started to have nightmares. I was given anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication and was set up with a counsellor, but after a few months of that, I found myself even more frustrated, even more helpless.

I found my comfort in sleeping pills and food, and blew up to my heaviest weight of 178 pounds.

The Plan of Attack: My best friend and roommate at the time, Lori, was an avid gym-goer, and encouraged me to go with her. I tried on and off but at first, but eventually it caught on. At first, I saw a trainer at the gym and I thought he was gorgeous. Next thing you knowm I had signed on for three sessions a week for almost the better part of a year. Slowly but surely the weight started to move. With every week, I saw more change. With every pound I wanted to lose another. It was constant motivation watching myself empower myself! It helped with my anxiety (punching things is legit – do it), then it became an addiction of sorts… but a good one.

Story Continues Below. Check out more of our inspiring weight loss stories:

The Exercise Factor: After eight months away from work I finally made it back, a mentally and physically stronger me. I had been able to cut almost 40 pounds with my trainer and was at about 135-140, but I had a new goal now — I wanted to compete in body building.

I knew another 40 pounds were be left to cut, so I got to work, lost a few myself and then hired a contest prep coach. I made it to stage in November 2013. I stood up there proud and anxiety-free. Nightmares, panic attacks, negative thoughts ... it all went away in that moment. The MC announced my weight loss journey to stage and the crowd went wild. I hit one more pose and smiled bigger than ever before. I was there for every girl who never thought they could. I was there for the girls who had been in that gym day in and day out and never gave up, even when most expected them to. I couldn't believe I was there. It was the best day.

Currently I'm prepping for competition so I'm lifting five out of seven days a week and keeping cardio consistent daily. Prior to this prep I was lifting maybe three times a week with some cardio when I felt up to it.

The Food Element: When I'm not dieting like I am currently for a body building show, I try to keep my diet high in protein and definitely high in carbs.

I also cut out junk food. I was known to eat a bag of chips and a chocolate bar nightly before bed. There would be days I saw multiple drive-thrus.

For me, the hardest adjustment was post competition in 2013. I had lost almost 80lbs and really had no idea where my body was going to end up. I had some serious struggles with food at that time. The hardest adjustment is definitely finding a proper balance and exercising.

The Current Day-to-Day: My days are unpredictable. That’s the best way to put it. In telling my story of weight loss I'm hoping to empower those suffering with mental illness. I found the gym, weights, cardio, competing, and ditched the comfort food, the tears and some of the pills. My PTSD and its symptoms will never go away but it is completely up to me as to how I handle them. The gym helps me do that. I almost wish I found the gym sooner. It is my anti-depressant. I usually hit the gym daily and take my time, I get totally into my music and dance around sometimes even — Why not ? I’m happy!

Maintaining weight has been hard, and hasn't always gone well. However, I have found that a "If It Fits Your Macros" approach and a solid consistency with cardio got me back where I should be.

What am I most proud of? All of it. I was not only able to lose 80 pounds, but I was able to gain my confidence back and return to my true love, which was nursing.